Role of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Providing Safe and Clean Water to Each Individual

Abstract

Recent statistics indicate that more people are dying from unsafe water annually than from all forms of violence combined, including war. Providing access to clean water has now become the first priority around the world. But natural water resources have been contaminated by industrial, agricultural, and harmful human activities, and water demands are increasing daily. One of the approaches being explored in many countries to tackle this challenge of increasing access to clean drinking water is the application of nanotechnology. The unique and novel properties of nanoparticles make them well suited for treating water. Nanotechnology offers an opportunity to refine and optimize current techniques and to provide new and novel methods of purifying water. Among them, magnetic nanomaterials have received much attention due to their great biocompatibility, excellent adsorption, and fast separation properties. In this chapter we aim to present all aspects and roles of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in water purification as well as treatment. The chapter covers both the pros and cons of MNPs in water treatment and concludes with recent investigations of the issue of nanotoxicity and its implications for the future.